HICKORY, N.C. - Luis Hernandez scored his first career goal as a Bear, but No. 7 Lenoir-Rhyne dropped the SAC home opener to Limestone by a score of 4-1 in a rematch of the NCAA Tournament opener from last season. The Saints scored twice in the first half and twice in the second half to hand the Bears their first loss of the year. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Limestone 4, Lenoir-Rhyne 1
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne 4-1-1 (2-1), Limestone 1-1-3 (1-0-1)
Location: Hickory, N.C. | Moretz Sports Complex

STATS AND INFO 

• The Bears came racing out of the gates. Hernandez scored his first goal as a Bear just 43 seconds into the game off an assist from Adrian Martina. Hernandez is a grad transfer from Barton and scored 10 goals for the Bulldogs last year. 
• Mark Radoki of Limestone struck twice in four minutes in the later stages of the first half. Those were the second and third goals of the season for him. The Saints led 2-1 at the break. 
• The Saints added two more goals in the second half, one from Falk Jorch, and one from Antonio Ferreira. The Bears had several offensive chances in the second half but could not find the back of the net. 
• The Bears out-shot the Saints 17-13, and the shots on goal were even at six. The Bears had seven corner kicks to Limestone's two, and each team was whistled for 15 fouls in the game. 

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• This was the Bears' first loss of the year, and the first loss at home. 
• Limestone has won five out of the last six meetings between the two, including in Hickory last year and in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament in overtime.
• Martina and Juan Basabe were the reigning offensive and defensive players of the week in the conference. 
• Martina had scored in three straight games for the Bears before this game. 

UP NEXT: The Bears step back out of conference play when they travel to Belmont Abbey for a 7 p.m. kick on Saturday.